BrieflyLatvia edged out a weakened Swedish side in Riga to throw relegation prospects wide open in ENC 2B. Five top Swedish players could not get flights from England to Riga. Swedish RU officials were forced to ferry in extra players from Sweden-based clubs.The Netherlands were too good for a determined but tired Maltese side who had travelled by bus from England to Amsterdam, again the travel arrangements disrupted by the cloud of volcanic ash over Europe.

P

W

D

L

PF

PA

DIFF

PT

NETHERLANDS

7

7

0

0

205

74

131

21

CROATIA

6

5

0

1

131

83

48

16

MALTA

7

3

0

4

105

146

-41

13

SWEDEN

7

1

0

6

130

150

-47

9

LATVIA

7

1

0

6

87

210

-120

9

The Croatia-Netherlands game next weekend will be crucial to the outcome of ENC 2B. Croatia, having lost 12-18 to Netherlands in the first round will need to win by 7 points or more, and then defeat Sweden in Sweden to take the title and move to ENC 2A for 2010-12. The Netherlands just have the one game next weekend and must win to take the title.

Sweden has now lost their last three games in a row. Both Sweden and Latvia have a game to play. Latvia's is against Malta. If both Latvia and Sweden lose their next game Latvia will be relegated based on Sweden's 21-5 earlier win.

Israel gained promotion to ENC 3B for the 2010-12 competitions with a convincing 19-0 win over Greece.

In Asia, Sri Lanka will be the new team in Asia 5 Nations for 2011. They powered their way with a 23-16 win over the more fancied Singapore team. Malaysia's easy 35-8 win over China Taipei sees the Chinese side relegated to Asia Nations Division 2 for 2011.